The London Assembly has launched an in-depth investigation into the city's bus network, as it aims to assess whether the capital's public transport infrastructure will be capable of coping with rapidly rising population figures.

Nearly 6.5 million people travel on one of the city's 700 bus routes every day and there are concerns that demand could soon outweigh supply.

The report will gauge the views of transport experts, policy makers and millions of bus passengers.

Chair of the Transport Committee Valerie Shawcross said there has been no indication of passenger numbers starting to decline, so it is vitally important that mayor Boris Johnson and Transport for London have a plan to expand the bus network.

"Unless plans are secured to deal with extra passengers, London buses run the risk of entering a period of decline," she remarked.

London's rail infrastructure is also being upgraded and the Crossrail development is aimed at making it easier for people to travel across the city each day.